• New Disney castle in Shanghai designed by a Baylor grad

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    There’s a new kingdom coming to China: Disneyland Shanghai. Opening in June, the park features six different lands, including Adventure Isle, Gardens of Imagination, Mickey Avenue, Tomorrowland, Treasure Cove, and Fantasyland. But the crown jewel of the park? The Enchanted Storybook Castle (pictured above) — which, as it so happens, was designed by a Baylor Bear.

    That Bear would be Doug Rogers, BFA ’82, who began working on the castle more than five years ago. At 240 feet tall, it’s the largest Disney castle in the world, and the only one that celebrates all the Disney princesses. Mosaics depict all four seasons through scenes with Tiana, Merida, Rapunzel, and Elsa and Anna. An illuminated marquee pays homage to Belle, Cinderella and Snow White. In all its four-spired grandeur, they still found room for a ride, an upscale restaurant, a grotto, a wedding chapel, live shows with fireworks, and the Bippity Boppity Boutique.

    Even before this massive project, Rogers has had quite the resume. Ever seen Shrek? Tangled? How about Shark Tale, The Princess and the Frog, or Bee Movie? If so, then you’ve seen Rogers’ work. As you can tell from the scenes in these movies, Rogers has an appreciation for rich colors, tons of texture, and an ethereal feeling. Much of his inspiration comes from travelling the world and seeing fairy-tale-like design — Victorian, Tudor, Goth, Renaissance — for himself.

    His work even extends to Broadway and television, as associate designer for the Tony Award-winning revival of Into the Woods and production designer for HBO’s Deadwood. His favorite work thus far, he says, was a production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, in which he wanted to create an immersive experience for the audience. “With this in mind, to take it farther, I thought, ‘What if the children got to go to Narnia, as well?’ So I got them to go ‘into the wardrobe’ even as they entered the theatre itself. The audiences were mostly children, who absolutely loved the chance to be part of the story.”

    Rogers’ passion for art design and theater began at Baylor, where he took classes in both. Ever the die-hard Baylor fan, he’s been known to dress the good guys in green and gold and hide messages of Baylor pride in scenes. About a year after Tangled was released, Rogers actually visited Baylor to speak to students and hopeful designers. His advice: cherish your education. A Baylor education is the greatest gift he’d ever received.

    Sic ’em, Doug Rogers!